Mapping the spatial variability of soil organic carbon stocks in the South-Eastern Ghats region of India for ecosystem sustainability
摘要
Assessing the effects of climate change on soil and crop production requires a spatial evaluation of the soil organic carbon stock (SOCS) for maintaining sustainable ecosystems. The present study evaluated the SOCS in the surface soils of different landforms, major landuses and soils. To estimate SOCS, 369 surface soil samples were taken using a composite sampling technique from a depth of 0 to 25 cm. Farm level detailed soil survey at a 1:10,000 scale was carried out and major soils were grouped into 24 soil series (management zone) in 10 sub-groups and 3 orders viz., Entisols, Inceptisols, and Alfisols. Spatial analysis of surface soil samples resulted in Exponential (OC% and coarse fragments) and Rational Quadratic (BD) as best-fitting models. The valley fringe (29.97 tC ha−1) landforms had maximum SOCS followed by the valley floor (28.57 tC ha−1) and pediments (17.49 tC ha−1) and hills (12.05 tC ha−1), respectively. Paddy-based cropping system stores the highest (31.47 tC ha−1) SOCS followed by pulses (28.22 tC ha−1) and vegetables (20.65 tC ha−1). Whereas in soil groups, Fluventic Haplustepts (33.53 tC ha−1), Vertic Haplustepts (24.49 tC ha−1), and Typic Haplustepts (24.42 tC ha−1) are holding a significant amount of SOCS. It showed that the wetland paddy based eco-system was increasing the carbon stock and carbon sequestration potential in the South-Eastern Ghats (SEG) region. Evaluation of various SOCS levels can greatly aid in reducing the effects of climate change by serving as carbon sinks in different ecosystems.